Melbourne Ports is an Australian federal electoral division in the inner south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

The electorate was created in 1901 at the time of Australian Federation (see History of Australia). It is named for the fact that at the time of its creation it was centred on Port Melbourne and Williamstown, both major ports.

The electorate, traditionally working class, is much more demographically diverse on its current boundaries. It still includes Port Melbourne, but now also includes the alternative lifestyle suburb of St Kilda, and middle class Caulfield, the home of Australia's largest Jewish community. The electorate is believed to be about 20% Jewish. It also has a large gay and lesbian community.

Melbourne Ports has been held by the Australian Labor Party since 1906. Since its extension eastwards to Caulfield, however, it has become much less secure for Labor, and is now a marginal seat. The current member is Michael Danby, first elected at the 1998 federal election.

At the 2004 federal election, the Liberal Party ran a Jewish candidate, David Southwick , against Danby, hoping to win Jewish votes that had previously gone to Labor. This tactic failed, with the Liberals securing a two-party swing of about 1.5 percent.

Members for Melbourne Ports

• Samuel Mauger (Protectionist Party) 1901-06
• James Matthews (Labor) 1906-31
• Ted Holloway (Labor) 1931-51
• Frank Crean (Labor) 1951-77
• Clyde Holding (Labor) 1977-98
• Michael Danby (Labor) since 1998

External link

• Australian Electoral Commission map of Melbourne Ports (pdf)